Another Guest Post by yours truly!! Head over to Camille at Make it Work Mom. She has a wonderful blog and I was lucky enough to shed some creative light on decorating for winter. Thanks Camille!!

Guest Posting: BLOOM

I am guest posting at BLOOM today. I am sharing a delicious Valentine-y pie. BLOOM is such a
great blog ~ go have fun seeing what they are all about. I know you'll love visiting as much as I do.

Guilty Pleasure

Over the weekend we went to SL and "hung" out in the old neighborhood. Although SL is not New York, Chicago, or LA it still has some wonderful, quaint shops I love to pop in and visit whenever I head to the "big city". Frosty Darling is a great downtown eclectic shoppe with great handmade, etsy products and lots of things made by the owner and her friends. I couldn't resist picking this up. It just made me smile and giggle and bust a gut laughing.

Guilty Pleasure: I think so. I loved him....oh lets say when I was 11-ish. I also love Jim Carey's Spoof of him on In Living Color. Even though he has become a comedic pun in many ways most of us teeny-boppers back in the early 90's all wanted to "collaborate and listen".

Eat.Blog.Run.

Just thought I would send out a little update on my Eat.Blog,Run status. First post here. Still running and enjoying it. I love that I schedule into my day (almost everyday!!) a 3-4 mile run and some yoga. It feels awesome. I've been sidelined a few days due to snow, but for the most part the weather hasn't kept me indoors. I am keeping track of my mileage on the left side bar. I thought it would be fun to see come Race Day how far I've actually  run.

My newest post over at Eat.Blog.Run is all about being connected to a running community. All the ladies are writing posts and it is fun to read and see where everyone is at. Also, if you tweet you can see what we are all saying @eatblogrun or if you have anything to say to me or any of us runners include #eatblogrun into your comments. I would love to hear from you!!

Magnet Board Pictures

Everyone uses magnet boards to keep track of notes, recipes, school info, photos and much more. Here in Utah, they are quite the trendy design must-have. A few months back, I was at my local craft store and their magnet boards were on sale so I bought two! I loved the large wood frame and spontaneously had an great idea! That original idea was later scraped by an easier ~ need based idea. Instead of keeping notes, recipes and other such essentials I decided to prominently display the most current photos of my boys. At Costco you can get a 12" by 12" photo printed "perfect for scrap booking", is what the sign says for $2.99 + tax. ( For the why behind Costco printing click here.)

I made this really simple on myself. I took out the backing and metal. I spray painted the first coat of black paint outside. Then inside, I did a second coat of black paint with a sponge brush. Let it completely dry, then repositioned the metal and backing. Once everything was back into place I used my favorite boy bottle cap magnets; Tika Kids and put them on top of my photo for placement.

Instead of making this the cutest magnet board turned photo frame... I just wanted it to be done and instead enjoying the pictures. I have to admit this is not normal for me, but I resisted the urge and have thoroughly enjoyed the pictures and so has my husband. He commented: "Glad to see we are finally looking at these pictures!" ( he means instead of on a CD) I couldn't agree more!!

I love that fact that I can now get a big over sized photo of my boys, display it for cheap, change the photo often and get a new look in my home regularly. The black goes with almost any of the photos of my boys and the metal behind gives it a funky matte-ing look (I know I am stretching on that one!).

Tip: For a new interesting look, don't actually hang your pictures. Have Furniture? Just prop your picture up on the buffet, side table, desk, etc. especially if they have a wall behind them or use an easel. Shake things up a bit, I love to do this in my living room.

Happy Weekend.

Picture Portrait Makeover ~ Unveiling

Because February and Valentine's Day is right around the corner I decide to take my three year neutral bedroom and give it a little umph with some dashes of RED. After I changed and updated all my pictures, I started by sprinkling in the red : I changed one matte to red and added rickrack to another.

But, I wasn't happy there so, I decided to take my makeover a little further.....

I went through my old linens (I knew right where they were due to my organization classes!)  I knew I had some small rickrack pillow cases that would be perfect. With my medium size pillow cases: I sewed a

red ruffle from an old skirt. Plain white cases for the kings.

For the finishing touch I got out my Valentine Quilt. Since it is almost February 1st, I figured why not. It is the shortest month of the year, why not enjoy it?

What do you think?

Picture Portraits

I thought I would spend the rest of this week talking about pictures. Reason: probably a mix of my organizational class, the New Year and the fact that I have been in my house 3 1/2 years now.

I just love pictures, who doesn't? Blogs are notorious for pictures and capturing the essential of life, craft projects, food, children and much more.

Last week I was looking around my house and thought. I am tired of all my pictures. In my bedroom, in the living room, down the hall. I need a change.

I started by taking an inventory. What pictures were permanent and what could be changed. I realized what would make me happy was to change most of the photos currently in the house. 3 1/2 years is a long time to look at the same photo(s) day after day. It would be like a little mini picture makeover. For example:

In my bedroom, the color scheme is neutrals. I am usually a color girl, (and my bedroom has some color) it just also has alot of neutrals. I have a pottery barn bed that has a warm clear wood finish and all my sheets are white. The walls are a slight yellow color but at different times of the day the color palette ranges dramatically from cream to yellow. When we moved into the house I thought it would be fun to take my collection of white frames and put family black and white photos in them. The photos are a fun conglomeration, boys single, mom and baby, dad and son, just my husband and I. But 3 1/2 years is a long time to say goodnight to the same photos.

So..... out with the old and in with the new.

Yesterday afternoon I took my picture discs to Costco and had new pictures printed. The reason I chose Costco was: 1) literally Costco is almost around the corner from me. Easy, fast and in 1 hour I can have my photos (if I want!) 2) Cost ~ pennies to the dollar compared to other big time shops for enlargements. (a 12 x 12 photo is only $2.99) 3) I am not professionally framing these pictures. No need to spend the big bucks on printing for store bought frame pictures and hopefully then won't be on display for another 3 years! Just a quick cheap fix.

Today, I plan to stop by and pick up my photos. I will show you the results tomorrow!

Winter Why's

Winter is in full force here, and since I don't live in Alaska, Minnesota or Canada I feel like I have no room to complain. Here is my top ten list for why I love winter.

10. Comfy Pajamas

9. Cute Boots

8. Warm Baths

7. Cinnamon Rolls and Hot Chocolate

6. Snow Shoeing

5. Snugging under a Comfy Quilt.

4. Sledding!!

3. Soups and Breads

2. The gorgeous Snowy Mountain Views

1. Sitting on the HEATER (with a quilt), Relaxing.

What do you love about winter??

Organization 101

An 8 week organizational class is being offered in my neighborhood community. Upon hearing about it, I said to myself; "You can't pass this up: 2 hours of adult, cleaning, de-clutter conversation, while hubby puts the kids in bed." Yes, please!!

In the First Class we tackled closets, laundry and the home office. I came home feeling like a new woman and ready to de-junk.

I like to think of myself as somewhere in the middle: I do have an emotional attachment to things, but I also know when it is time to just let things go. What I am in desperate need of is ORGANIZATION: how to file, sort, dispose, group, coordinate (you get the picture), I want to know where my scissors are, my kid's baby documents, my taxes, where my Christmas lights are quickly, easily, and painlessly.

I think this class just may do the trick.

If you ever get a morbid kick out of other people's stuff and their lack of or serious problems with clutter watch these shows, my family (strange put true) love 'em:

Clean House on the Style Channel. They've had a few hosts, but Nicey is the best.

Hoarders on A&E

Christmas Quilts

About the 10th of December I decided I wanted to make Christmas Quilts for my boys. I knew I wanted to surprise them Christmas morning so I had to quilt quick. I decided on a simple pattern that would make for less stress, but still show off the great fabrics. I went through my stash and decided on a color theme of Red, Green, White and Black. My focus fabric is from Anna Griffith using her adorable cameo reindeer's. I was so proud to make the quilts all from stash fabric, even the backs and binding!!

Making two quilts over a 2-3 day period can be overwhelming... that is why I was so grateful for my Mom's help. She was a fantastic pin-er and iron-er (are those even words), I couldn't have done it with out her. Thanks Mom. One of my main goals was to make sure the quilts were twin size and fit their beds looking right. I took the 4 colors and evenly distributed them through the quilt 3 times and used the reindeer fabric three times as well. The strips of fabric ranged in size from 3" to 10".

Ella did all the wonderful quilting. I am really happy with the star design. They bring a bit of whimsy, but are still remain boyish. Now, my boys have great Christmas quilts for their beds all through the month of December!!

New Year Snowflake

When the New Year rolls around I love put away my Christmas wreath and have my door help me "ring" in the New Year. It must be from living in Utah and knowing January is a hard cold month, but I love to have something cheerful and bright waiting for me when I open my door. Nothing like a Snowflake with colorful festive ribbon to say "I know it is cold outside, but get in here, it's warm and toasty!"

One of my vendors from the Art Shoppe sells these great wire creations. I got an apple last spring for my son's teacher and I also have a heart for Valentine's Day. When she was setting up I knew I couldn't pass up the Snowflake.

To make things easy on myself (still recovering from the Holidays) I went through my stash of ribbon. Now this is the exact reason why I shop ribbon sales. To have a stash and thus a large inventory of ribbon in which to pick from. My general rule is: always shop ribbon sales and if you can't buy the entire spool, buy at least six feet.

I picked 4 ribbons varying in size and color and threaded them through a hole in the side of the snowflake.

I tied a knot and repeated the process on the other side.

I left myself a generous amount of ribbon length to make a lovely bow and let the ends just hang.

Here's to hot cocoa, a few more sledding parties, boots, mittens and a warm welcome next time my friends stop by.

Eat.Blog.Run

Even though I don't talk much about running on this blog I am a runner at heart. I have been since I was about 10.

Little Back Story:

I was very tall in the fifth grade and my parents thought I would be a good high jumper. I wasn't, I was scared to death of the bar, and half way through the season I got chicken pocks for the second time in my little life. At night when it was dark my parents took me to the local track and I would run lap after lap effortlessly. By the time I recovered and could come back to school it was time for District Track Meet and I asked my coach if I could run the 1200 = 3 times around a track. He looked at me baffled but said yes.

I ran my little heart out and won that race and went on to be undefeated for the next 4 years.

In High School, I ran at Sandy Union H.S. in Sandy, Oregon and won 3 state Track titles: 2 in the 3000 and 1 in the 1500. I even got a athletic scholarship to Vanderbilt University located in Nashville Tennessee. Through kids and gettting married I still find time to train and run. For the past couple years, I have gotten into triathlons and I love it. Every summer I try and compete in several 5k and triathlons.

Last fall I was asked by my friend and neighbor Marie to join a blogging relay team. We were accepted into The Relay a 200 mile relay race from San Fransisco to Santa Cruz. Me and 11 other ladies have laced up our running shoes and are going to be hitting the pavement hard this May. I am so excited to meet these amazing ladies (IRL) ande have the time of our lives running over the Golden Gate bridge, thru wine country and the Santa Cruz board walk.

Check out me and my running friends at Eat.Blog.Run. We have bios, sponsors, race info and of course posts all about getting ready for the race. My newest post can be found here.

Any plans to get healthier and/or more active in 2010? If you do, I want to hear about it!!

New Year: 2010

On New Years Eve this year (2009) I spent the night with family, tollhouse pie, Christmas lights, SLC, a sled, and sparking cider. 2009 was a wonderful year and not because it was perfect, but because I chose through all the ups and downs to love it anyway.

My word for 2010 is Perspective: making the best memories, creating happy moments, and loving the process is the only perspective I need this year.

Wishing you all a great New Year and welcoming back creative blogging.